City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
October 1, 2024 7:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
5:00 PM CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION AND CLOSED SESSION:
Vice Mayor Kairis called the study session and closed session to order at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL BY THE CITY CLERK:
Present: Absent:
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Martin Devine
Council Member Travis Paden
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Study Sessions are considered Special Meetings under the Brown Act. Accordingly, comments from the public are limited to items listed on the agenda (GC 54954.3a). Public Comment will be accepted during each agenda item. A maximum of three minutes is allowed for each speaker. Please begin your comments by stating your name and providing your city of residence.
Jack Schwartz discussed alternatives for selling Hanford's historic buildings, and provided the council with a handout with his recommendations.
Bob Ramos commented on the old fire station that was torn down. He asked that the discussions about city-owned public buildings be put on hold.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Presentation Highlighting the History, Condition, and Needs of City-owned Public Buildings with Historic Designations in Hanford's Downtown
Deputy City Manager Jason Waters and Public Works Director Russ Sterling discussed the history, condition, and needs of the city-owned buildings in downtown Hanford. Staff answered questions from the Council. Council Member Martinez suggested holding a public hearing to get feedback from the community. After much discussion, the Council directed staff to bring back future agenda discussions with different options for the historic buildings.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS (GC 54956.8):
Property: 113 Court St. (Court House) APN: 010-265-001-000 Agency Negotiators: Mario Cifuentez and Ty Mizote
Negotiating Party: Kevin Nickell and Jason Carvalho
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION:
Vice Mayor Kairis called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Absent:
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Martin Devine
Council Member Travis Paden
INVOCATION:
The invocation was led by Pastor Mark Curts.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Council Member Devine.
CLOSED SESSION ACTION REPORT:
RECOGNITION:
A. Badge Pinning Ceremony and Oath of Office for the promotion of Battalion Chief Tom McKean.
Fire Chief Perkins introduced Battalion Chief Tom McKean and City Clerk Natalie Corral administered the oath of office.
COUNCIL REPORTS/GENERAL REPORTS:
Brief information-only reports from City Council and/or Staff, including committee reports and reports by City Council related to meetings attended at City expenses (AB1234).
The Council discussed the meetings and events they attended.
A. INFORMATION REPORT - WARRANT REGISTER
PUBLIC COMMENT:
This is the time for citizens to comment on subject matters within the jurisdiction of the Hanford City Council. This is also the public’s opportunity to request an item from the Consent Calendar be pulled for discussion purposes or to comment on any item on the agenda. State law does not allow the Council to discuss or take action on issues not on the agenda, except that members of the Council or staff may briefly respond to statements made or questions posed by persons exercising their public testimony rights (Gov. Code sec. 54954.2). A maximum of three minutes is allowed for each speaker. Please begin your comments by stating your name and providing your city of residence.
Mark Pratter commented on ordinance 24-08 and expressed his concerns regarding recent city incidents.
Jack Schwartz thanked the Fire Department for their assistance with the Carnegie Museum's flag and flag pole.
Susan Davis commented on two problematic homeless individuals. She asked for the city's assistance with maintaining the area she lives in.
Rose Shapley commented on Measure H and shared her concerns about the expenditure plan.
Noor Memon complained about the kiosks in Civic Park that were removed. He also asked the City Council to respond to his letter. City Attorney Mizote responded to his comments.
Kimber Regan requested that Consent Item E be tabled. She also commented on the roundabout project.
Bob Ramos commented on the downtown beautification project.
Chris Jordan commented on the Measure H town hall meeting hosted by the Son's of Liberty group. He also expressed his concerns regarding the proposed safety building.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Consent Calendar items are considered routine and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these matters unless a request is made and then the item will be removed from the Consent Calendar to be discussed and voted upon by a separate motion.
Council Member Martinez requested to pull Item E. Motion to approve the consent calendar except for the items pulled for separate discussion.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSENT:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Martin Devine
Council Member Lou Martinez
Mark Kairis, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
Travis Paden
A. Procedural Waiver: Waive reading in full of resolutions and ordinances and approval and adoption of same by reading title the only.
B. Public Works: Approval of a purchase order, in the amount of $57,915, to Napa Auto Parts for the purchase of a mobile column lift for the Fleet Department.
C. Public Works: Approval of the Purchase of one (1) bottom dump semi-trailer from American Trailer Company of Fresno, CA in the amount of $53,193.69.
D. Utilities and Engineering: Authorization for the advance purchase of Electrical Switchgear for the approximate cost of $400,000 and Appropriation from the Wastewater Fund required for the proposed Solar Photovoltaic Project at the City’s Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) and Authorization to commence negotiations for a sole- source contract with Engie Energy Services U.S. to design and construct energy-related projects at the City’s Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) pursuant to California Government Code Section 4217
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS:
A. Council: Introduction of Ordinance No. 24-06 amending Chapter 3.28 of the Hanford Municipal Code to allow the City Council to designate the board of directors of a private organization to serve as the Central Parking and Business Improvement Area Advisory Board as required by the Hanford Municipal Code.
[Item E]
Pulled by Council Member Martinez.
Council Member Martinez asked for clarification and staff responded.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSENT:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Martin Devine
Mark Kairis, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
Travis Paden
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. City Attorney: Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 24-08, Amending Hanford Municipal Code Chapter 12.24 to severely restrict sitting, lying down, and sleeping on public and private properties and the addition of provisions to address camping on private property and prohibiting trespassing on business premises.
City Attorney Mizote presented the ordinance for the Council's review and approval. During the discussion, he addressed the comments made during public comment. Council Member Devine questioned Kings County's ordinance and said he'd like the city's ordinance to mirror theirs. Staff addressed the Council's questions and comments. Vice Mayor Kairis also addressed the public comments about the ordinance.
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS:
At this time, any Council Member may ask a question for clarification or may request a matter, which is not otherwise scheduled on a City Council agenda, to be placed on a future agenda. The Council Member referring the item shall provide sufficient information as to the nature of the item. The City Council, by concurrence of a majority, may direct the City Manager to put the item on a future agenda. (GOV. CODE SEC. 54954.2)
A. Council Future Agenda Items
None.
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
October 5 & 6: Renaissance of Kings Faire 5:00 pm, Civic Park October 13: Hanford Fire Department Open House 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at Fire Station 1, 350 W. Grangeville Blvd.
October 15: Regular City Council meeting Canceled
October 19: Walk with Doc 9:00 am - 10:00 am at Centennial Park, 1355 W. Hanford Armona Rd.
ADJOURNMENT:
Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the City Council after distribution of the agenda packet are available to public inspection in the City Clerk’s Office located at 319 N. Douty Street, Hanford, California 93230, during normal business hours. Such agendas are also available at the city’s website, www.cityofhanfordca.com subject to staff’s ability to post the agenda before the meeting. If you need a disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s office, 559-585-2515, 319 N. Douty Street, Hanford, California 93230, at least 2 days prior to the meeting {28 CFR 35.102.35.104 ADA Title II} Vice Mayor Kairis adjourned the meeting at 7:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk